Rodgers confirms Liverpool star’s injury woe

Illness lead to Stewart Downing being replaced early in Liverpool’s goalless draw with West Ham according to Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds winger had declared himself fit prior to the match but lasted just 25 minutes before being replaced by Daniel Sturridge and boss Rodgers confirmed that he had not fully recovered from the illness which had befallen him on Saturday.

A few days’ rest should see him fit to play next weekend when the Reds travel to bottom of the Premier League Reading.

Rodgers told the Echo: “He took ill, but he wanted to give it a go. He’s in good form at the moment.

“He took some tablets but when he was out there, he was very weak. When he came off, you could see it in him that he wasn’t feeling well.”